SHANGHAI, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Ark Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("ArkBio") today announced that all cohorts of healthy volunteers have been dosed in an Australian Phase I trial with AK0406, a novel long-acting antiviral-Fc conjugate (AFC) drug for influenza prophylaxis. The clinical trial has now entered the follow‑up phase.
AK0406 is a novel long-acting antiviral agent developed by ArkBio. By precisely conjugating highly potent antiviral drugs to an antibody Fc fragment, AK0406 is designed to provide sustained pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis and potential therapeutic benefits to public population, addressing the unmet needs for influenza prevention. Preclinical data show that AK0406 exhibits broad-spectrum high-potent activity against both influenza A and B viruses, retains Fc-mediated effector functions, and provides prolonged protective effect. AK0406 has been optimized to offer an ideal pharmacological profile for both prophylaxis and treatment of influenza infection.
Influenza remains a critical global public health challenge. Current preventive measures, such as seasonal vaccines, face limitations of antigenic drift, uncertainty in strain prediction, and reduced protective efficacy among elderly and immunocompromised populations. As a new generation of AFC drug, AK0406 has the promise to deliver a safer, more effective, and convenient innovative solution for influenza prevention globally.
About ArkBio
ArkBio is a commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics for respiratory/lung and pediatric diseases. Founded in 2014, the company has established proprietary technology platforms and a differentiated R&D pipeline through internal innovation and strategic collaborations.
Key clinical pipeline assets include: ziresovir (AK0529), the first direct-acting antiviral for RSV with positive pivotal phase 3 results; AK3280, a potentially best-in-class anti-fibrotic drug with positive phase 2 results in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which advances into a pivotal phase 3 trial; AK0901, a new generation ADHD drug that has been approved and commercialized in China for the treatment of pediatric and adult ADHD. ArkBio has other first-in-class or best-in-class innovative drug candidates in clinical or preclinical development.
ArkBio has established strategic partnerships with multinational and domestic pharmaceutical companies including Roche, Genentech, Qilu Pharmaceutical, and leading academic institutions such as Scripps Research and the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as other domestic and international biotech companies and CROs, for drug discovery and development.
For more information, please visit: www.arkbiosciences.com
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ArkBio Completes all Cohort Dosing in Australian Phase I Trial with Influenza AFC Drug AK0406
- HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering signs definitive agreement with Siemens to implement next-generation marine platform and establish a 3D single-data platform
- Aims to build an autonomous manufacturing system that digitally connects the entire shipbuilding process, including design, production, logistics, inspection and sea trials
- "By building a smart shipyard of the future powered by AI and digital technologies, we will set a new standard for the shipbuilding industry"
SEOUL, South Korea, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the intermediary holding company for HD Hyundai's shipbuilding business, shared on Thursday, July 23, that it has signed a definitive agreement with Siemens Digital Industries Software, a global engineering software company, to implement a next-generation marine platform.
The agreement marks a key step in the company's' efforts to develop an AI-powered shipyard of the future and drive the transformation of the shipbuilding industry.
The signing ceremony, held in Washington, D.C., was attended by executives and representatives from both companies, including President & CEO of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Kim Hyung-kwan, and President & CEO of Siemens Digital Industries Software, Tony Hemmelgarn.
The next-generation marine platform is centered on integrating the entire shipbuilding process—from vessel design and production to supply chain management, quality control and maintenance—into a single 3D-model-based data environment powered by AI and digital technologies, enabling the use of consistent information across every stage of the process.
Through the platform, shipyards will be able to transmit design changes and real-time production status updates directly to the production floor and supply chain, enabling informed decision-making to help prevent schedule delays and quality issues.
To support this effort, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering plans to develop a Virtual Shipyard that mirrors actual shipyard operations, enabling the simulation of production processes and equipment operations in a digital environment. As learning and analytical capabilities are essential to realizing a future Physical AI shipyard, where robots and autonomous production systems perform tasks independently, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering plans to further enhance the next-generation marine platform.
Ultimately, the company aims to establish an autonomous manufacturing system that digitally connects every stage of ship construction, from design and production to logistics, inspection, and sea trials.
"As a leader in industrial AI, automation and digital twin software, Siemens is uniquely positioned to help transform how shipyards design, build and sustain the next generation of vessels," said Tony Hemmelgarn, President and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries Software. "This strategic collaboration is about more than technology deployment, it's about establishing a repeatable blueprint for modern shipbuilding. By combining Siemens' digital capabilities with HD Hyundai's operational excellence, we can help shipbuilders improve throughput, quality, and workforce productivity while strengthening global shipbuilding competitiveness."
"AI is not merely a tool for improving productivity, but a transformative technology that is reshaping how ships are designed, built and operated," said H.K. Kim, President & CEO of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering. "By integrating AI, digital twin, and automation technologies into a connected digital shipyard environment, we aim to establish a future-ready model for the shipbuilding industry. Together with Siemens, we look forward to helping accelerate the digital transformation of shipyards worldwide, while contributing to the modernization and competitiveness of the U.S. shipbuilding industry."
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HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Pursues AI-Driven Transformation of Shipbuilding Industry
